Toni - I didn't play badly

Giant striker now turning his attention to Champions League

Last updated: 13th July 2008

Luca Toni

Toni: Defended performance

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Italian striker Luca Toni has defended his performance at Euro 2008 - despite not scoring a goal.

The giant striker spurned a whole host of chances as the Azzurri crashed out of the competition to Spain at the quarter-final stage.

His lack of goal-scoring prowess led to criticism in some quarters, but Toni, who plies his trade for Bayern Munich at club level, does not accept the validity of the complaints.

He told German newspaper Bild am Sonntag: "I don't think I played particularly badly.

Goal disallowed

"Against Romania I had a perfectly valid goal disallowed and I earned the penalty that put us 1-0 up over France.

"I would have liked to play the final against Germany, but at the end of the day Spain fully deserved to win the trophy."

In sharp contrast with his Euro finals form, Toni hit 24 goals in 31 Bundesliga games with Bayern to fire them to the title.

This has earned Toni his first-ever crack at the UEFA Champions League and he is relishing his chance of finally taking part in Europe's elite competition.

He added: "For the first time - at last! - I will play in the Champions League. Bayern Munich have invested a great deal to be competitive and we obviously hope to win."